Killing or injuring a person with one punch is no game and the state’s criminal penalties to prosecute these dastardly individuals should not be a joke.

These twisted and cowardly thugs are preying on innocent bystanders and they don’t care if the victims are young, old, a man or woman. Life isn’t a video game. These are real people whose lives are not only being put in jeopardy but in many cases destroyed.

What’s shameful is not only that these punks are knocking out innocent people but they’re trying to rack up knockouts to impress their friends. What’s even more dangerous is they’re trying to rack up the most number of knockouts because it becomes a status symbol in the gang. The youthful cowards who think they’re some kind of “Big Man”’ for playing this barbaric “Knockout Game” should be prepared to face the long arm of the law like men.

That’s why I’m introducing new legislation that would amend New York State’s penal law to make any person regardless of their age who is convicted of knock out game individual assault or gang assault to face up to 25 years in prison (currently it’s between 4-15 years depending on the age of the defendant).The legislation would ensure that youth who “play the Knockout Game” are sentenced as adults. Those who are there and take part in the action also would be held liable.

This bill is a deterrent because it will ensure that juveniles who commit these vicious adult crimes are tried as adults. It also ensures that any gang member who is part of a ‘knockout game’ assault – even if they don’t lay a hand on the victim – could face a long prison sentence.

Violence like this should not be condoned no matter the age of the offender. Youth should not be an excuse for this kind of behavior and young people, as well as adults, who do this should be counted out.

16 Responses

This “game” might be the worst thing for race relations in history. It repeats and espouses all the worst stereotypical fears that white people have about black people. The black community really needs to step up and work towards vilifying this behavior that is so frightening to people who want to live in peace and harmony. The silence is deafening.

These dirtbags should be thrown in jail and left to rot there. Beating up old men and children. These animals are lower than low. Jimmy thanks for having the balls to speak out about these scumbags and do something.

this is clearly a deadly out of control racial issue that has crossed state lines. don’t believe me? just read the news reports. but sad to say if you even hint at the racial factor, you’re immediately called a racist, “filled with hate.”

sorry, i calls ‘em as i sees ‘em. and if i get slapped down for stating the obvious, that would just be a plain load of garbage. it’s time to stop allowing the knee-jerk cry of “racist” to be used as cover. or does someone have a plan to stop this deadly “game” by just ignoring it?

you, your colleagues, your leaders and the governor need to immediately step up as one to get this on the books. and anyone who hesitates, including Cuomo, should be publicly asked “why not?” it’s a bit more serious than “10 bullets to kill a deer.”

Jim: Sounds to me like we have some reverse discrimination going on here — if the situation was reversed like the Rodney King story – you d have Al Sharpton crying the blues! Thanks for keeping us informed — and for introducing this legislation!

Jim: Not a fan of Fox News but happened to catch your spot this morning, nice! All I can say is that our country is in big trouble. Sucker punching someone as a game? Your legislation should be expanded to include these punks parents as well! Let them all rot in jail! Then they will see how funny it is!

Simply amazing. These kids have too much time on their hands and need a smack down! Someone should give them a broom and tell them to sweep the streets, it might help clean up crime, then again once in jail that’s what they will be doing anyway! Thanks for speaking out on this issue.

Jim: I hope you do whatever it takes to get this bill passed. Hopefully Silver will see the merit in this legislation while flying the friendly skies and get it through committee – unlike with any other Republican piece of legislation which never sees the light of day. Glad to see you never sleep!

Jimmy: This is amazing!! Obviously this has to be more of a racial issue than anything else-I mean sucker punching innocent white people is crazy! Glad to see you’re looking out for us! Keep up the good work! God bless and Happy Thanksgiving!

Back in the 80s, would-be gang bangers would roam the streets of Troy, Albany and Schenectady and randomly slash someone or even shoot someone to prove they were “worthy” of getting into the gang. Knockout seems to be a variation of that type of behavior, although I fear the media may be making a bigger deal out of it than it really is. In any event, people who perpetrate such crimes should be dealt with, but it should be put into perspective.

The issue is gang violence and the police’s continued inability–if not unwillingness–to stop it once and for all by breaking up the gangs. Hey Lola: if a mob of Russian kids did this would you condemn all Russians? Let’s keep race out of this. This also fuels the street vigilantes who want to carry guns and shoot first, ask questions later. Fear is a very powerful emotion.